A new insight into Serjania Mill. (Sapindaceae, Paullinieae) infrageneric classification: a cytogenetic approach

Serjania (Sapindaceae, Paullinieae) comprises about 230 species, and currently two infrageneric classifications have been proposed but both are difficult to apply. This work tested which infrageneric classification fitted better in relation to cytogenetic traits added to the main morphological features used by the authors of the subgenus arrangements to gain an insight into the evolutionary karyotype relationships. In order to test the relationship between karyotypes and the systematics of this genus, the karyotypes of five species of Serjania belonging to five different sections (sensu Radlkofer) were described. Known karyological information on 26 species was used to complement the results. With these data, a cluster analysis was set up to test which infrageneric classification fitted better. In addition, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to examine the relevance of the traits in the subgenus classification. All the karyotypes analyzed (including new as well as previous records) had 2n?=?24 chromosomes, and the karyotypes were asymmetrical: submetacentric and metacentric chromosomes were common, whereas telocentric chromosomes were rare. The PCA revealed seven principal components, the first two explained 52?% of the total variation, and the last ones were related to all the karyotypic features studied. The phenogram obtained reflected a scarce fitting into both infrageneric classifications, with only 3 sections of the 12 proposed by Radlkofer and two of the six sections proposed by Acevedo-Rodríguez being represented. Finally, regarding karyotype evolution, the constancy of chromosome number and the variation in the length of the complement suggest that structural chromosome changes would have played a leading role.     

Morphological and palynological studies in Phlomis L., Eremostachys Bunge and Paraphlomis Prain (Labiatae)

Information from morphology and palynology, together with anatomical, cytological and chemical data, is utilized to examine the status of the genus Phlomis and its close relatives Eremostachys and Paraphlomis.
The recognition of the genus Paraphlomis is confirmed on morphological and palynological grounds. The data also reinforce earlier opinions about the close relationship between Phlomis and Eremostachys, which show some overlap in almost all the features examined. When infrageneric groups are considered, the indumentum, calyx-shape and pollen-sculpturing in Eremostachys section Moluccelloides differ markedly from these features in Eremostachys sections Eremostachys and Metaxoides, which show close affinities with Phlomis, especially with Phlomis section Phlomoides. Phlomis sections Phlomis and Phlomoides differ in morphology, petiolar anatomy, chromosome number and constituent flavonols. Palynological data, allied to those from morphology and geography, strongly support the removal of the Chinese species, Phlomis rolata, to the genus Lamiophlomis.     

Comparative stem anatomy of Mirabilis (Nyctaginaceae)

Mirabilis, a primarily American genus of 50?C60 species almost restricted to the New World, is the most diverse within Nyctaginaceae. It not only has the greatest number of species, but also many life forms, with annual herbaceous, suffrutescent and shrubby species and with prostrate, decumbent to erect stems that are sometimes clambering. Stem anatomy has been studied only for M. jalapa, and its characteristics extrapolated to the entire genus. In this study we evaluated the taxonomic significance of stem anatomical characters from 24 species of Mirabilis, as well as their potential relation to habit evolution. Qualitative and quantitative characters of transverse and longitudinal sections were evaluated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Stem anatomy varies in several features. The phloem is arranged in short tangential spreading bands or in large tangential bands forming semi-complete rings; the conjunctive tissue is fibrous, with thin-walled sclereids and fibres, or parenchymatous; the vessels are solitary or grouped in radial multiples or clusters; the xylem fibres are very thin-walled or thin- to thick-walled with simple to minutely bordered pits; most species are raylessness; the pith has parenchyma or thin-walled sclereids or brachysclereids. The distribution of anatomical characters in Mirabilis does not correspond with the current infrageneric classification. We suggest that some stem anatomical characters are correlated with habit and that the vascular cylinder and pith characters are related to an increase in mechanical strength. This study provides new information and novel characters about the stem anatomy not only of Mirabilis, but of the family.     

Chloroplast DNA restriction site study of Verbesina (Asteraceae: Heliantheae)

Chloroplast DNA variation was examined for 79 species of Verbesina and 24 outgroups. Two independent analyses of the data were performed. An intergeneric study to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Verbesina used 22 genera, most of which are regarded in the literature as closely related to Verbesina. Coreopsis and Hymenoxys served as outgroups for this analysis. The 16 6-bp (base pair) restriction endonucleases used in the intergeneric study revealed 263 phylogenetically informative sites. Wagner analyses of these characters resulted in four equally parsimonious trees with a length of 857 steps and a Consistency Index of 0.492. Results from this study indicate that Verbesina is monophyletic, a member of the tribe Heliantheae, and that its sister taxa are the mostly Mexican genera Podachaenium, Squamopappus, and Tetrachyron. The infrageneric study of Verbesina included species belonging to all of its infrageneric taxa, except the monotypic sect. Stenocarpha. The 17 6-bp restriction endonucleases used in the infrageneric study revealed 137 sites 77 of which were phylogenetically informative. Wagner analyses of these characters generated 180 equally parsimonious trees with a length of 158 steps and a Consistency Index of 0.786. The genera Podachaenium, Squamopappus, and Tetrachyron served as outgroups. Two major clades, which correspond to traditional divisions of the genus based on leaf arrangement, are supported by the study. No support was found for the monophyly of seven of the 11 sections examined; further sampling of sections Lipactinia, Ochractinia, Verbesina, and Ximenesia is needed. Results support a major reassessment of the traditional infrageneric classification of the genus and provide the basis for the reevaluation of the sectional taxonomy of Verbesina. These studies support a North American origin for the genus with several independent introductions into South America producing significant diversity, especially in the Andean region.     

Taxonomic characters of the staminal tube and epicalyx in Brazilian Pavonia (Malvaceae)

This study was based on the analysis of staminal tube and epicalyx morphology of species ofPavonia (Malvaceae) from northeastern and southeastern Brazil. The importance of characters in the infrageneric taxonomy is discussed. In general, the variability in staminal tube and epicalyx characters are useful mainly in separating closely related species and a few sections; these characters, however, cannot be used to separate subgenera.     

Phylogeny of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae) inferred from the trnK/matK region (cpDNA)

The genus Peperomia is one of the largest genera of basal angiosperms, comprising about 1500-1700 pantropically distributed species. The currently accepted infrageneric classification divides Peperomia into nine subgenera and seven sections. This classification is based on some 200 species, primarily using fruit morphology. The monophyly of these infrageneric taxa has never been tested and molecular phylogenetic studies of a representative sampling within Peperomia do not exist. This paper provides the first molecular phylogeny for the genus Peperomia. Monophyletic clades within Peperomia are identified and previously used morphological characters are critically reviewed. We show that the importance of some morphological characters has been overestimated and that some of these characters presumably have evolved several times independently. Only one previously described subgenus has been confirmed to be monophyletic.     

The phylogeny, evolution, and classification of the genus Globba and tribe Globbeae (Zingiberaceae): appendages do matter

The genus Globba (100 species) is one of the largest genera in the primarily tropical Zingiberaceae. Globba along with the small genera Gagnepainia, Hemiorchis, and Mantisia comprise the Globbeae, one of the two tribes of subfamily Zingiberoideae. Traditional infrageneric classification in Globba has focused on the number of anther appendages: zero, two, or four. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted on nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid trnK-matK data from a broad sampling of Globba and related genera. Results show Mantisia to be monophyletic but nested within Globba, while Hemiorchis and Gagnepainia are monophyletic genera that are sister to each other. Anther appendage number and shape, along with inflorescence and fruit morphology, are the most important characters for understanding evolutionary relationships in Globba. A new infrageneric classification system for Globba, recognizing three subgenera and seven sections is presented. The four species of Mantisia are formally transferred into Globba but retained as a distinct section. Within Globba, a notable biogeographic boundary is seen at the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand.     

中国-喜玛拉雅特有属——蓝钟花属的分类修订

Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology, anatomy, palynology, and karyomorpho-logy recommends a new infrageneric classification of the genus, recognizing 23 species, belonging to two subgenera, four sections and four subsections. One subgenus(Subgen. Mi-cranthus), one section(Sect. Suffruticulosi) and two subsections(Subsect. Flavi and Sub-sect. Lichiangenses)are described as new taxa. New combinations at sectional (Sect. Annui) and subsectional(Subsect. Stenolobi) ranks are also proposed. The genus Cyananthus is strictly distributed in the high mountains of China(Xizang, Yunnan and Sichuan), extending to Bhutan, Nepal and India (Kumaon-Garhwal, Assam and Sikkim), with altitudinal ranges from 2500 ~ 5300 m. It is observed that 13 species are endemic to SW China and only three species are endemic to the Himalayas( two species in Ne     

A systematic survey of leaf and stem anatomical characters in the genus Gaultheria and related genera (Ericaceae)

MIDDLETON, D. J., A systematic survey of leaf and stem anatomical characters in the genus Gaultheria and related genera (Ericaceae). Leaf and stem anatomical characters of 123 species within the Gaultheria group of genera of the tribe Andromedeae are surveyed. A number of characters show considerable variation within a species which limits their taxonomic use. Other characters such as marginal sclerenchyma and, to a lesser extent, the hypodermis, the presence of adaxial stomata, the presence of free fibres and the pith type were of more taxonomic interest. These characters are discussed in relation to the generic and infrageneric classification of the group.     

Foliar architecture and anatomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bernardia</Emphasis> and other genera of Acalyphoideae (Euphorbiaceae)

A comparative study of leaf architecture and anatomy of 42 species of Bernardia and other genera related of Acalyphoideae was undertaken to identify characters that support infrageneric and specific delimitation. Thirty variable foliar architectural and anatomical characters were studied. Some characters are consistent (e.g., venation pattern, secondary and tertiary vein arrangement, presence or absence of agrophic veins, type of areoles, bundle sheath cell type, presence or absence of fibers in the mesophyll, trichome type, stomata location, and type of crystals), and characterize genera. In addition, foliar character distribution within Bernardia supports the most recent infrageneric classification.     

The phylogeny of Gaura (Onagraceae) based on ITS, ETS, and trnL-F sequence data

Gaura (Onagraceae: Onagreae) is a small North American genus of 21 species consisting mostly of night-blooming, moth-pollinated annuals and perennials. The current infrageneric classification based on differences in habit, floral symmetry, and fruit morphology recognizes eight sections within the genus. We examine the phylogenetic relationships of all 21 species of Gaura using DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the external transcribed spacer region (ETS), and the plastid trnL-F region. Combined analysis of these regions indicate Gaura is monophyletic only if it includes Stenosiphon, a monotypic genus comprised of S. linifolius. Within Gaura, our studies indicate that sections Gauridium, Schizocarya, Campogaura, Stipogaura, Xenogaura, and Gaura are monophyletic, but sections Xerogaura and Pterogaura are not and should be reevaluated. In addition, molecular data provide support for the hypothesis that G. sinuata and G. drummondii arose via interspecific hybridization followed by genome doubling; their influence on phylogenetic reconstruction is discussed.     

A new species of Paracapillaria (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the intestine of the toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Anura) from the Malayan Peninsula

A new species of parasitic nematode, Paracapillaria malayensis n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described from the small intestine of the toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus imported from the Malayan Peninsula to the Czech Republic. The new species differs from the only other congeneric species, Paracapillaria spratti, mainly in the shape and structure of the spicular proximal end (with a lobular rim), smaller eggs (45-51 x 21-24 microm), longer spicule (336 microm), and the number (37-38) of stichocytes in gravid females; whereas P. spratti parasitizes frogs of the Microhylidae in Papua New Guinea, P. malayensis is a parasite of Bufonidae in the Malayan Peninsula. Other Paracapillaria spp. are parasites of fishes, birds, or mammals and they mostly differ from P. malayensis in the structure of eggs and some other morphological features.     

Systematics of Gagea and Lloydia (Liliaceae) and infrageneric classification of Gagea based on molecular and morphological data

Our study represents the first phylogenetic analyses of the genus Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae), including 58 species of Gagea and 6 species of the closely related genus Lloydia Salisb. ex Rchb. Our molecular results support the infrageneric classification of the genus Gagea in sections according to Levichev and demonstrate that Pascher's subdivision of this genus into two subgenera can no longer be upheld. Certain Gagea sections (e.g., Gagea, Minimae, and Plecostigma) are well supported by cpDNA and nrDNA data. Gagea sect. Fistulosae is closely related to G. sect. Didymobolbos. Gagea sect. Graminifoliae and G. sect. Incrustatae are closely related to G. sect Platyspermum. The analyses support the monophyly of Gagea and Lloydia collectively. The molecular analyses reveal the basal position of G. graeca in proportion to all other species of Gagea and Lloydia investigated. Minor morphological differences could be established between both genera which support their close relationship.     

Protein variation and systematics of three subgenera of Malayan rats (Rodentia: Muridae, genus Rattus Fischer).

1. Nine erythrocyte proteins coded by a separate locus each were analysed in and among seven Malayan species of Rattus belonging to three subgenera. 2. Electrophoretic data obtained confirm the specific status of the seven taxa and divide the seven species into three groups which correspond with Ellerman's (1949) subgenera Stenomys, Maxomys and Leopoldamys. 3. A comparative study together with 11 other species of Malayan Rattus previously analysed show that, with few exceptions, the overall relationships among the 18 species based on electrophoretic data correspond well with conclusions based on morphological evidence. 4. Malayan species of Rattus are relatively very diverse genetically (S = 0.27, range 0.01-0.94).     

基于trnK基因的葱属植物分子系统研究

在形态和细胞分类研究的基础上选择产于中国的9组47种葱属植物(含外类群5种),运用PCR方法扩增叶绿体trnK基因,选择26种限制性内切酶对PCR扩增片段进行了RFLP分析.结果表明:trnK基因的PCR产物在各分类群间几乎不存在长度变异,约为2 520 bp,PCR扩增片段酶切后,共得到247个变异位点,其中信息位点201个.运用PAU P 4.0 B 10.0和M EGA 3.1软件进行分析,构建葱属系统发育的D o llo和W agner最简约(M P)树及邻接(N J)树.分析表明:(1)宽叶组类群组成比较自然的单系群,洋葱组和葱组也各自形成独立分枝,表明这3个组的划分是比较自然的.多籽组和合被组在本次分析中形成1个单系群,表明这2个组具有较密切的亲缘关系.而粗根组、根茎组和单生组的划分是不自然的,需进一步研究后作适当的调整.粗根组的类群在trnK基因的RFLP分析中,得到很好的分辨,可按其染色体基数分为3个大的类群.(2)中国葱属植物可以划分为6个亚属的新等级,在各亚属下可以再分组.(3)本文还对葱属的种间亲缘、进化关系等问题进行了讨论.     

A synopsis of the neotropical species of Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae)

WEBSTER, G. L. & ARMBRUSTER, W. S., 1991. A synopsis of the neotropical species of Dalechampia ( Euphorbiaceae ). The characters used in inferring phylogenetic relationship in Dalechampia are discussed, and a consistent terminology is devised for the parts of the distinctive pseudanthial inflorescences. The infrageneric classification is radically modified, with the 92 provisionally accepted binomials for the neotropical taxa referred to six sections: Rhopalostylis, Dioscoreifoliae, Cremophyllum, Coriaceae, Tiliifoliae and Dalechampia. As here interpreted, section Dalechampia includes 53 species in five subsections; one new subsection, Convolvuloides , is described.